Recipe: Spicy Salad

At least two people have proposed marriage to me after eating this salad.  Neither person is my current husband.


Spicy Salad

Fresh basil for homemade pesto.

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

• 3 hearts of romaine, chopped
• 1 pound salami, sliced into thin strips
• 1/2 pound provolone, sliced into thin strips
• 1 cup sliced pepperoncinis
• 1 cup green olives, sliced
• 1/4 cup prepared pesto (pesto recipe)
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
  

Directions:

• To make the dressing, whisk together the pesto and red wine vinegar in a small bowl.  Slowly add in olive oil a tbsp at a time until it reaches your preferred consistency.  Cover and set aside. 
• In a large bowl, combine romaine, salami, provolone, pepperoncinis, and green olives.  Drizzle salad with dressing and lightly toss.  

Notes:
This also makes a delicious pasta salad.  Omit the romaine.  Prepare dressing as directed above.  Cook 1-pound of the pasta of your choice until al dente.  Farfalle (bowtie) or penne work well.  Drain and cool completely.  In a large bowl combine pasta with salami, provolone, pepperocinis and green olives.  Stir in pesto dressing.  Chill for a few hours before serving.